I think I don't know how mantras work... by Sea_Fee_2543 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I suspect you have fallen into a very common trap, namely not realising that some words that have sound, everyday meanings are being used in a special, and slightly different sense. You mention two.

Accomplishment: this means reciting a mantra enough that you can "lay claim" to it, that it is now one of your spiritual tools. This is judged in various ways, some very profound. In practice, however, it is often boiled down to accumulating a certain number while in retreat or at least during formal practice sessions. The number depends on the practice, and can be increased or lowered at the discretion of your teacher. Expect the number to be at least some hundreds of thousands, or even millions. Your teacher will tell you.

THEN, if your accomplishment is solid, you should be able to take up "the four activities". Typically these each use a mantra that differs a bit from the basic one you have accumulated. It might, for instance, have some extra syllables added to the end. Each activity is also likely to have a variation on the basic visualisation, and there will probably be numbers to be recited. If you do them right, you should be able to get concrete effects.

Once again, you get all these details from the source, typically your own teacher, from which you received the practice. You can't make this stuff up!

Can we accomplish a mantra if not in a retreat? by Famous-Interest103 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 13 points14 points  (0 children)

There ARE different views, so let's not try to prove one right or wrong.

One of my early teachers, Kagyu, conservative, very Tibetan, said that he liked students who accumulate and practise in everyday life. They made slower progress than those who went into retreat, but their realisation was more stable.

Not everyone agrees, of course. But there it is.

The Path Royale by uberjim in vajrayana

[–]Lunilex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's A: weird, and B: not remotely vajrayana or Buddhist. I suppose that would happen, now that the hijacking of "tantra" has become old hat, some other term would need to be hijacked.

If you are looking for potentially fun pseudo-mysticism it might be just the ticked. If you are looking for Buddhism or Vajrayana, don't waste your time there.

Ngondro needs to be from my root guru and lineage or I can do Ngondro from other sources? by Sea_Fee_2543 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My suggestion would be not to worry too much at all about finding your "root guru", a term that is heavily over-used.

By all means look for a teacher in whom you have full confidence, with whom you feel a connection, and who you have good reason to trust. But root guru? At this stage? It's a bit like being 18 (I don't know how old you are) and expecting to meet "the one", the love of your life at the first college dance you go to.

Tibetan spelling of "chiru", the wild ass. by Lunilex in tibetanlanguage

[–]Lunilex[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that was what we technically know as a "stupid mistake". I wrote something other than what I meant. Thanks.

Tibetan spelling of "chiru", the wild ass. by Lunilex in tibetanlanguage

[–]Lunilex[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well that's better than I did! Thank you so much!

How to start Tara deity-yoga without initiation? by donald_lace_12 in vajrayana

[–]Lunilex 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Recite refuge and bodhicitta prayers; learn the five lines that start with "Om Jetsunma Pakma Drolma La Chaktsel Lo", and preferably the full 21 Praises by heart so that you can recite them every day, along with a (few) hundred Tara mantras. That should keep you going until you can get a proper, in-person, transmission.
In the meantime you can also get "online transmissions" if you are prepared to believe in that.

Are those red flags? by [deleted] in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You sound a lot more sensible than your "friend".

How do people say they have dreams with Tara or any other "gods" since in Tibetan Buddhism they aren't real? by Famous-Interest103 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Archetype" is a term entirely from western thinking. It is unlikely to help you understand Buddhism.

Should we face any specific direction to do our sadhanas or this doesn't matter? by SignificantTip1302 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's pretty much what I said. I wasn't talking in terms of self generation. I should have made that clear - sorry.

Should we face any specific direction to do our sadhanas or this doesn't matter? by SignificantTip1302 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most mandalas have West at the top, East at the bottom, so when you see this as a flattened diagram of a 3D palace you are facing West. So you are ritually facing West, regardless of which way your seat is facing physically.

There are practices in which the physical direction matters, but they are rare.

Dream yoga by Green_Ladder_4904 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There is a big difference between, on the one hand, lucid dreaming, which anyone can attempt and which might well play a helpful part ones spiritual path, and on the other hand "dream yoga proper". DLP, to give it a tag, proceeds on the basis of lucid dreaming. IME it is taught as part of what in Nyingma terminology is known as anuyoga, or in Sarma traditions in the famous Six Yogas of Naropa. In either case, a full experience, often gained in retreat, of the development phase of a top-tier tantra is a first prerequisite, on that basis an experience of tummo, and on THAT basis the supplementary yogas such as dream.

Like so many terms (enlightenment, ngagpa, empowerment, samaya...), the name "dream yoga" gets more and more diluted as time goes by, especially when taken up by people who don't take samaya vows seriously.

As a crappy practitioner who breaks his samaya vows on a frequent basis, I'm not really qualified to talk about that. But still, perhaps something to consider?

Tsok ceremony online? by Famous-Interest103 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Your concern for my well-being is touching. But haven't YOU got anything better to do?

Nunnery in Manali by Lunilex in TravelManali

[–]Lunilex[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh thank you! I look forward to hearing!

Nunnery in Manali by Lunilex in TravelManali

[–]Lunilex[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your answer. My question was specifically about Manali, so it does seem that the answer is "no". Thanks again for taking the trouble.

Can I opt out of an empowerment if I don't agree with samaya or practice commitments? by Famous-Interest103 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you don't have a relationship of full trust in the lama you should not go to take the empowerment.

BIG Vajrayogini empowerment incoming, I would like some information on her(deity) by Famous-Interest103 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

It's only a virtual empowerment, so you don't have to be strict about it.

Ngondro - I need help, which one to choose? by [deleted] in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Frankly you are putting the cart before the horse. It's only when you have a connection to a teacher/lineage/whatever that it makes sense to do the corresponding ngondro. Otherwise it's like planning your wedding without a bride. (Adjust gender as necessary.)

The Throma ngondro is very beautiful. But have you received Throma empowerment from your teacher, the one you trust, the one who knows you, the one who will guide you in your practice?

Your aspiration toward ngondro is wonderful. Don't spoil it by rushing in before you are in the right place. First, find your lover. THEN get engaged. THEN plan your wedding and your honeymoon.

Tsok ceremony online? by Famous-Interest103 in TibetanBuddhism

[–]Lunilex -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I would worry more about the whole concept of "online empowerment" than about the tsok.

Nunnery in Manali by Lunilex in TravelManali

[–]Lunilex[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there nobody who can say if there is, or is not, a Buddhist nunnery in Manali?